By Kevin McCarty
May 25, 2009

Nickels Recognized for “E-Visionary” City

By Kevin McCarty

On May 15, Conference of Mayors Vice President Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels received the “E-Visionary” award, recognizing his city’s many efforts on sustainable transportation.

“From light rail to street cars to electric vehicles, Seattle is proud to lead the way in reducing the impact of transportation on our climate,” said Nickels.

This international award is presented by The World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA), recognizing leaders from North America, Europe and Asia for their use of clean, efficient and sustainable modes of transportation, specifically for making electric drive a reality in the everyday lives of their citizens. The City of Seattle joined with The City of London, England and The Osaka Prefecture, Japan as the 2009 award winners which were presented at the 24th International Electric Vehicle Symposium in Stavanger, Norway.

“Seattle is an ideal choice for this award,” said Brian Wynne, president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association, the North American member of the World Electric Vehicle Association. “Seattle has truly become a model for other cities committed to sustainable transportation.”

Electrifying Transport Underpins Award

In addition to his role on climate and sustainability through his initiation of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, Nickels has also established a national presence on sustainable transportation issues. Among his accomplishments, Nickels has embraced a multi-pronged strategy to electrify Seattle’s transportation system, using clean, green electric power from Seattle City Light, the only public utility in the country to have net-zero carbon emissions.

This summer, the Seattle region will open its first light rail line operated by Sound Transit, where Nickels now serves as chair of the agency. He helped lead last year’s successful referendum campaign that approved extension of the rail line to other cities in the region, including Lynnwood, Redmond and Federal Way.

In late 2007, the City of Seattle initiated a new streetcar system, which has attracted more than a half-million riders during its first full year of operation; plans are now underway to extend streetcar service to complement electric trolley buses operated by King County Metro.

Another area where Nickels has taken a leadership role is his support for the introduction of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. In addition to its partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to test these vehicles, Nissan announced last month that the Seattle area has been selected as one of the first regions in the U.S. to introduce its all electric five-passenger car beginning in 2010.

“We think this is a promising solution for us to be able to wean ourselves off of foreign oil and to be able to combat greenhouse pollution,” Nickels said in remarks on the Nissan partnership. For Seattle’s part, it will work to promote the all electric vehicles and develop charging infrastructure such as battery charging facilities that will be needed to support broader scale deployment of these vehicles.